Method of shell banding



Aug. 28, 1962 B. D. V.JOHNSON METHOD OF SHELL BNDING Original Filed Oct.24, 1956 INVENToR.

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.52u65 D. JoH/Jso/v BY Anf, Mn M24 Arrow/EY! Aug. 28, 1962 B, D. JOHNSON3,050,845

METHOD OF SHELL BANDING Original Filed Oct. 24, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l-Q Mmm a a a M m M Ww w W J f m mw I o. m A be 1 n I I 1 E ma bww@ m m .QNS W mi N s illl: f Nn ."i

B. D. JOHNSON 3,050,845

METHOD OF SHELL BANDING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR @ence D. Jona/5ms fl w M N TN n. MQ h Nm. hn

Aug. 28, 1962 Original Filed OCT.. 24, 1956 BY Arm, my MJU ATfQR/VEY!Aug.` 28, 1962 12,. D.. JOHNSON METHOD OF SHELL BANDING Original FiledOct. 24, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

5eme D. Jam/50N' BY MJ. mf M@ Arron/EVS Aug. 28, 1962 B. D. .JOHNSONMETHOD oF SHELL BANDING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 24, 1956INVENTOR. @ence D Jay/sou A TTOENE Y Aug- 28, 1962 B. D. JOHNSON3,050,845

METHOD OF SHELL BANDING Original Filed Oct. 24, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6NSN QN. IN\ 1 J United States Patent O 3,050,845 METHOD F SHELL BANDINGBruce D. Johnson, De Pere, Wis., assigner to The C. A. Lawton Company,Inc., De Pere, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application ct.24, 1956, Ser. No. 615,117, now Patent No. 2,951,401, dated Sept. 6,1960. Divided and this application Dec. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 862,741

1 Claim. (Cl. 29-520) This invention relates to improvements in shellbanding machines and particularly to a machine incorporating hydraulicshell handling and banding rams operable in automatic sequence.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.618,117, tiled October 24, 1956, now Patent No. 2,951,401.

The device of the prese-nt invention will swage bands on artilleryprojectiles or shells at an automatic production rate for 105 mm. shellsof eight to ten shells per minute. The device of the present inventionis fully automatic and will continuously band shells as long as unbandedshells and bands are supplied thereto. On interruption of the supplyeither of unbanded shells or bands, the automatic control circuit of thepresent invention will de-actuate the machine. The hydraulic rams of thepresent invention are of such capacity and the cycle of operationsthereof is so timed that the shells are uniformly banded with minimumrejection rate and minimum loss of production.

In the device of the present invention a novel escapement mechanism isprovided to index unbanded shells from a delivery conveyor to a transferstation from which the shells are transported hydraulically to a bandingstation where bands are swaged thereto and the .banded shells returnedto the transfer station. The escapement mechanism then removes bandedshells from the transfer station to a discharge conveyor, desirably inthe course of indexing the next succeeding unbanded shell to thetransfer station.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparentfrom an examination of the following disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a banding machine embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the machine of FIG 1, partly in crosssection through the transfer station along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary cross section taken throughthe device and showing an unbanded shell in position at the start of thecycle of operations.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary axial cross section showing the next step in thecycle of banding operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary cross sectional views showing stillfurther steps in the cycle. of banding operations.

FIGS. 8 through 11 are greatly enlarged fragmentary cross sectionalviews taken through the swaging ring and associated parts andillustrating in sequence the cycle of banding operations.

FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the shell and band priorto the swaging operation.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary axial cross section taken through a modiedembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14 through 16 are fragmentary transverse cross sectional viewstaken through the transfer station of the device and illustrating thesequence of operations of the escapement mechanism for deliveringunbanded shells to the transfer station and removing banded shells tothe discharge conveyor.

3,@545 Patented Aug. 28, 1962 FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken onthe line 17--17 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation,showing a shell on the transfer station support saddle.

FIG. 19 is a combined electrical and hydraulic circuit diagram for thedevice of the present invention.

The artillery projectile shells to which the bands 31 are to be appliedare indicated in the drawing by reference character 32. As best shown inFIG. 12, each shell has a peripheral groove 33, the base of which isdesirably provided with discontinuous peripheral ribs 34 or equivalentroughened surface. In the device of the present invention the band 31which is of copper or like relatively soft metal is contracted or swagedinto the groove 33, a portion of the contracted band lbeing exposedbeyond the surface of the shell 32 whereby to engage the riing in thebore of the artillery piece and impart rotation to the shell as itemerges from the piece.

In the device of the present invention the shells 32 are banded in ahorizontal press generally identified by reference character 35. As bestshown in FIGS. l through 3, the horizontal press is desirably supportedon a table having legs 36 and a top 37. Beneath the table an electricmotor 38 may be supported on the stand 39. The shaft of motor 3S iscoupled to a hydraulic fluid pump and associated mechanism enclosedwithin the housing 42. The hydraulic fluid circuit is shown in detail inFIG. 19.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the horizontal hydraulic press 35comprises relatively fixed end heads 43, 44 connected at their fourcorners by the horizontal guide rods 45. Slidably mounted on the rods 45for unitary reciprocation therealong is a movable platen 46 and a crosshead 47, these parts being interconnected by upper and lower spacer bars48.

End head 44 is provided with a ram cylinder housing 51 within which thepiston 52 for a hollow ram 53 is disposed. Ram 53 comprises acylindrical sleeve of smaller external diameter than the bore ofcylinder housing 51 whereby to provide an annular fluid chamber 54 whichmay be pressurized lthrough port "5S to hydraulically propel piston 52toward the right as shown in FIG. 4. The space behind piston 52 may bepressurized through port 56 to propel the piston 52 to the left as shownin FIG. 4.

Ram sleeve 53 moves in the annular ring bearing 57 mounted about acentral opening 58 in end head 44. The sleeve 53 is fastened to crosshead 47 by an annular retaining ring 59.

The cylindrical bore 62 of ram sleeve 53 contains a second hydraulic ram63 which extends through a central opening 64 on the cross head 47 andhas at its exposed end a cap 65 socketed at 66 to receive one end of aprojectile 32. Hydraulic tiuid may be admitted to the rear of ram 63'through the port 67, the diameter of ram 63 being slightly smaller thanthe diameter of bore 62 to provide an annular pasage for uid movingbetween port 67 and the rear face of ram 63.

From the foregoing it is clear ythat ram piston 52 is double-acting andits movement will actuate cross head 47 and movable platen 46concurrently in both directions of reciprocation thereof. Ram 63 issingle acting and when port 67 is pressurized the ram 63 will move tothe left as shown in FIG. 4.

Fixed end head 43 of the press is provided with a cylinder housing forthe double-acting ram 68 which has a piston 69. The diameter of ram 68is slightly less than the diameter of the bore of cylinder 70 to providean annular space 74 therebetween. Hydraulic fluid may be admitted to therear face of piston 69 through the port 72 and may be admitted to theannular space 74 adjacent the forward face of piston 69 through the port73.

Ram 68 is slidable on the ring bearings 75 mounted in a central opening76 in the xed end head 43. 'Ihe end head 43 is further provided with atubular bracket sleeve 77 through which the projecting stern 78 of ram68 reciprocates. At its outer end the tubular bracket 77 carries anannular abutment ring 79 which has a sleeve extension or rim 82, theinner periphery of which is tapered as best shown in FIG. 8 to receivethe tapered end 83 of the projectile shell 32. The annular abutment ring79 in turn supports the band abutment sleeve 84, the diameter of whichcorresponds to the diameter of uncontracted bands 31, as best shown inFIG. 8, whereby to restrain such bands 31 against axial movement in thecourse of the swaging operation.

In FIG. 13 a modication of the shell positioner is disclosed. For largerand heavier shells 61 the tubular bracket 77 carries an abutment ring 71having an enlarged recess 80 in which a cap 81 xed to the ram stem 78seats. Cap 81 has a conical seat to receive the tapered end of the largeshell 61. Accordingly, the cap 81 moves with the shell when it isadvanced and ejected through the die 87 by stem 78 to better support theheavy shell in transit.

Movable platen 46 is provided with a central opening 85, a swaging dieretainer ring 86 and a hardened swaging ring or die 87, the details ofthese parts being best shown in FIG. ll.

Swaging die 87 is provided with a conical or tapered die surface 88, themouth of which is slightly larger in diameter than the external diameterof the uncontracted band 31. The taper of die surface 88 may correspondto the external tapered surface 89 of the band abutment sleeve 84.Accordingly, when the platen 46 is moved to its position shown in FIG.9, the band abutment sleeve 84 may be freely received within the die 87as therein indicated. Die 87 is also provided with a cylindrical surface'90.

Because of the extreme pressures to which the swaging die is subject,its mounting in the movable platen 46 must be strong enough to withstandthese pressures without failure. Accordingly, to contain the expansiveforces which are imposed upon the swaging die 87 in the course of theswaging operation, a toughened retainer ring 86 is shrunk onto the dieS7 before the die is positioned in the opening 85 in platen 46. Both theretaining ring 86 and die 87 are held within the opening 85 by means ofa hold-down ring 92, the ring being held by bolts 91 in abutment withthe end of the retainer ring 86 and with the shoulder 93 formed on thedie 87. Accordingly, such expansive forces to which the die 87 issubject in the swaging operation are contained both by the die 87 and bythe ring S6, the platen 46 being isolated from and relatively free ofsuch expansive forces.

Note from FIGS. 4 and 8 that the die 87 may be provided with a lip 94extending into the path of vertical descent of band 31 whereby tosupport the band 31 in position for passage therethrough Iof the end 83of shell 32. The bands 31 are stored in a band magazine 95 mounted onthe -cross member 96 which has a fixed connection to the rods 45. Themagazine 95 may be fed with bands 31 from a hopper (not shown).

Platen 46 is provided with bracket arms 97 which carry a suitableshuttle 98 elongated in the direction of platen reciprocation to closethe bottom of the magazine 95 when the platen 46 is in its retractedposition shown 1n FIG. 4. The brackets 97 and shuttle 98 are spaced fromthe end face' of platen 46 a distance slightly greater than the width ofa band 31 so that when the platen 46 has advanced to its position shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 the lowermost band 31 in the magazine 95 may drop to anintermediate position shown in these gures in which it is temporarilysupported on the -rim of sleeve S4.

Platen 46 is also provided with a bracket 99 which carries dual bandsupport pins 102 which project beneath the penultimate band 31 inmagazine 95 to support all bands above the band 31 which dropped ontothe sleeve 84. As soon as platen 46 retracts shuttle 98 will again bebeneath the magazine so that Withdrawal of pins 102 will permit thebands 31 in magazine 95 to descend to their position shown in FIG. 4.Meanwhile the band 31 supported in intermediate position shown in FIGS.6 and 7 on the sleeve 84 will be carried with the platen 46 away fromsleeve 84 and will drop into its ultimate position shown in FIG. 4 assoon as the stem 78 of ram 68 has retracted to its position shown inFIG. 4. In the foregoing manner the shuttle 98, pins 102, sleeve 84 andplaten 46 act as an escapement mechanism to deliver successive bands 31into the machine for banding purposes.

Note from FIGS. 3 and 14 through 16 that the magazine 95 is providedwith guide rails 103, one of these rails being provided with a slot 104through which the actuating roller of limit switch LSS extends. As willhereinafter be explained more in detail, operation of the machinedepends on pressure of a band 31 on LSS. Accordingly, if the magazine 95becomes empty, machine operations will stop.

While machine operations will be described more in detail in connectionwith the explanation of the circuit diagram of FIG. 19, it will be notedat this point that an unbanded shell 32 is transported by ram 63 fromits transfer station shown in FIG. 4 to the left, passing through theswaging die 87 enroute to its position shown in FIG. 5. In the course ofthis movement the shell 32 passes through both the swaging -die 87 andthrough band 31 disposed on the lip 94 of the swaging die, movement ofthe piston 63 continuing until the end of the shell is firmly seated inits seat 82. This position of the parts is also illustrated in enlargedfragmentary cross section in FIG. 8, the position of the parts beingsuch that theband 31 registered with the shell groove 33.

The rear face of piston 52 is now pressurized to concurrently move thecross head 47 and movable platen 46 which carries the swaging die 87 tothe left as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, whereby the die 87 will swage orcontract the band 31 into the groove 33. Platen 46 and die 87 ultimatelyreach their positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 in which the band 31 isalmost completely contracted into the groove 33. In this positionportions of band 31 register respectively with die portions 90 and 88.During the foregoing movement of die 87 the band abutment sleeve 84holds the band against axial movement, the projectile 32 also being heldagainst axial movement by abutment ring 79 in the conical rim 82 ofwhich the nose 33 of the shell is seated.

The swaging of the ring 31 into groove 33 is completed by actuation ofthe piston 69 toward the right as shown in the foregoing figures, thusforcing the band completely through the remaining portion of die face 88and the shell rearwardly out of the die as indicated in FIGS. l0 and ll.The banded shell is thereupon returned to its transfer station as shownin FIG. 7 whereupon both pistons 52, 69 retract to their FIG. 4 positionto permit removal of the banded shell and replacement by an unbandedshell by the escapement mechanism best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 14through 16.

As best shown in FIGS. 14 through 16 unbanded shells may be delivered bygravity to the machine on an inclined ramp 107. Banded shells may bedelivered from the machine on a discharge ramp 108. Shells delivered tothe transfer station are supported in the saddle or cradle members 109,110, best shown in FIG. 18. Member 109 is suitably apertured to receivethe actuating button 113 of limit switch LS1. Table 107 is also suitablyapertured for projection therethrough of the actuating button of limitswitch LSS. As will hereinafter appear, switches LS1 and LS8 compriseinterlocks which will de-energize the machine unless closed by thepressure of shells thereon during critical periods in the machine cycle.

Cradle rails 109, 116 are supported on a fixed platform 114 slotted at115 to clear the lowermost spacer bar 48 as shown in FIG. 3. Platform114 is mounted on the table top 37 and has a lateral extension 116 whichcarries a cross pintle 117 on which escapement levers 118 are pivotallymounted intermediate their length. Beyond pintle 117 escapement levers118 are spanned by the pin 119 to which the piston rod 122 of hydraulicmotor 123 is pivotally connected. Motor 123 is mounted on a bracket 124connected to a table leg 36. Motor 123 powers pivotal movement ofescapement levers 118 about pintle 117 and between their respectivepositions shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 and their position shown in FIG. 15.

In lowermost position of the escapement levers 118, and las best shownin FIG. 14, elevator platform portions 125 thereof align with input ramp107 to receive 4by gravity one unbanded shell 32. Platform apron 112 isprovided with a stop edge portion 126 projecting above the level of theelevator platform portion 125 of the escapement levers 118 in their FIG.14 position whereby to preclude further advance of the shell 32. Thespace between the abutment 126 and the ends 129 of the escapement levers118 is great enough to accommodate but a single shell on the platform125.

In FIG. 14 a previously indexed shell 32 is shown on the saddle rails109, 110 at the transfer station and in position for the bandingoperation previously described. When the shell is transported by therams aforesaid and the banding operation is completed, the banded shellis ejected and replaced on the transfer station with the next unbandedshell. For this purpose hydraulic motor 123 is actuated to pivot theescapement levers 118 about their fulcrum 117 to their position shown inFIG. l5. The curved portions 127 of the escapement levers 118 are thuselevated to lift the banded shell from its saddle supports 109, 110 andpermit the banded shell to roll by gravity as indicated in FIG. 15 alongthe escapement levers and toward the discharge conveyor 108. Pivotalmovement of the escapement levers 118 aforesaid also serves to lift theunbanded Shell 32 on elevator platform portions 125 of the arms 118 overthe fixed abutment 126. Such unbanded shell 32 will then roll down theincline of raised platform 125 and will come to rest against theabutment edges 128 formed at the rear of the curved portions 127 of theescapement levers 118. Meanwhile the ends 129 of escapement levers 118will be raised -to their FIG. 15 position to preclude any movement ofthe unbanded shells 32 on ramp 107, these being stored in positionawaiting indexed advance toward the transfer station.

When hydraulic motor 123 is actuated in its opposite direction torestore the escapement levers 118 to their position shown in FIG. 16,abutment portion 128 of the levers 118 will be lowered below ythe levelof .the platform apron 112 and permit unbanded shell 32 which hadpreviously been arrested thereagainst to descend by gravity onto thesupport rails 109, 110 of the transfer station. As shown in FIG. 16 thenext succeeding previously stored shell 32 may then descend by gravityalong ramp 107 onto the platform portion 125 of the escapement levers118 pending repeat of the escapement cycle.

From the foregoing it is clear that the escapement mechanism aforesaidwill discharge a banded shell from the transfer station and deliver anunbanded shell into the transfer station on each escapement cycleoperation as controlled by hydraulic motor 123.

The electrical and hydraulic circuit for the completely automaticoperation of the banding machine is shown in FIG. 19. Limit switchesLS1, LSS and LSS primarily comprise interlocks requiring an assuredsupply of unbanded shells and bands to maintain the machine inoperation. Inasmuch as these switches are ordinarily closed by pressureof the appropriate components, these switches are shown as normallyclosed in the electrical circuit diagram of FIG. 19. Release ofcomponent pressure, however, will cause these interlock switches toopen. Limit switches L83, LS7 which are actuated by movement of the ramsleeve 53 of piston 52 are closed only when ycontacted by the actuatorcam 132 which is shown in both FIGS. 1 and 19. Limit switch L34 isnormally closed. Limit switch L56 has two contactors, 213 which isnormally closed and 214 which is normally open. L84 and LS6 are actuatedby the switch actuator 133 mounted on the rod 134 extending rearwardlyfrom piston 69 in cylinder 67, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 19.

Pump motor 38 is energized through the polyphase leads 135, single phasepower being supplied to the control circuit leads 136, 137, through thestep down transformer 138. Motor 38 may be started by manually closingswitch button 141. This `completes a circuit between leads 136, 137through line 142, relay 4 and normally closed overload circuit breakercontactors 143. Energization of relay 4 closes the switch contactors 144in the polyphase leads to motor 38 and closes holding circuit contactorswitch about push button 141. A normally closed master stop switch 146is also provided in line 142 whereby to shut down the machine whenopened.

Assuming an unbanded shell 32 at the transfer station with limitswitches LS1, LSS and LSS closed and ram 68 retracted against LS6 toclose contactor 214, the banding cycle will automatically start ifselector switch 146 is on auto position to close contactor 147. If thecycle switch 146 is on hand to close contactor 148, it is necessary toclose the cycle start switch button 149. In either case a circuitbetween leads 136, 137 is completed through lthe relay 1 and the closedlimit switches aforesaid. Relay 1 concurrently will close holdingcircuit contactor switch 139 about cycle start switch button 149 andrelay actuated contactor switch 152. Closure of switch 152 completes acircuit from lead 136, line 153, through normally closed contactorswitch 154, line 155, line 156, normally closed switch 157, and line 158through the solenoid coil D on the solenoid actuated hydraulic valve 159and return line 160 to lead 137. Valve 159 will thus be moved againstthe bias `of its return spring 163 to its position shown in FIG. 19.

Actuation of relay 1 also energizes solenoid C of the hydraulic valve164 to move it to its position shown in FIG. 19 and against the bias ofits return spring 165. Solenoid C is energized from lead 136, throughswitch 152, line 153, normally closed switch 154, lines 155, 166 and167, through the coil C and line 168 back to lead 137.

Actuation of relay 1 also energizes solenoid coil B of the hydraulicvalve 171 to move the valve to its position shown in FIG. 19 against thebias of its return spring 172.

Coil B is energized in a circuit from lead 136 through line 173, relay 1actuated contactor switch 174, line 175 through the time delay relayactuated contactor switch 176, line 177 through the coil B and line 178back to lead 137. Time delay contactor switch 176 is actuated by thetime delay relay 181 which is in line 182 from line 175 directly to leadi137. The time delay thus provided insures actuation by solenoids C andD of their respective hydraulic fluid valves 164, 159 before valve 171isv actuated.

The sequence of steps aforesaid will connect the hydraulic pump inhousing 42 through fluid line 183, port 184 in fluid valve 171, fluidline 185, port -186 in hydraulic uid valve 164, uid line 187, check-valve 193 and branch fluid lines 188 and 189 respectively to port 56for piston 52 and port 67 for ram 63. Line 189 is connected to port 67through the port 192 of hydraulic uid valve 1'59.

Fluid lines 194, 195 and 196 are open to sump 200 through port 201 ofvalve 223. However, fluid in cylinder 54 ahead of piston 52 will delaymovement of piston 52 to the right in FIG. 19 until its pressure exceedsthat for which resistance valve 151 is set. Such fluid may not bypassresistance valve y151 because of check valve 197.

Ram 63, however, is free to move without delay to the 7 right in FIG. 19to move the unbanded shell 32 through the swaging die as aforesaid. Thetime delay required for the pressure at port 55 fto build up to a levelexceeding the pressure for which. resistancevalve 151 is set is amplysuicient to permit ram 63 to position shell 32 in its seat 82.

During the foregoing operations limit switches LS1, LS and LSS will openbecause ofthe movement of the shells and bands. However, relay 1 hasmeanwhile closed relay actuated contactors 198, 199 around these limitswitches to render the opening thereof ineffective to interrupt thebanding operation.

As piston 52 moves to the right in FIG. 19 in the foregoing step,hydraulic fluid in bore 62 of ram 63 will exhaust through port 67 backinto the uid line y189 inasmuch as the pressure exerted by relativelylarge piston 52 is much greater than the resistance offered by the fluidin relatively smaller cylinder 62.

Concurrently with the arrival of the swaging die at its FIG. 6 positionin which the band 31 is almost completely contracted into the shellgroove, switch actuator 132 on ram sleeve 53 will contact and closelimit switch LS3, thus energizing relay 2 which is in line 202 betweenleads 136, 137. Accordingly, normally closed relay actuated contactors154, 157 will open to break the circuits to solenoids C and D andpermitting the respective springs 165 and 163 of hydraulic uid controlvalves 164, 159l to shift the valve plugs thereof toward the right asshown in FIG. 19.

Accordingly, port 67 of cylinder 62 of ram 63 will be connected throughvalve port 203 to the hydraulic uid sump 204 and fluid line 187 will beconnected through port 205 in valve 146 to fluid line 206 which isconnected throu-gh the spring biased relief valve 207 to the sump 208.Concurrently therewith port 209 in valve 164 connects pressure line 185to uid line 212 which supplies port 72 of ram 68. Accordingly, ram 68will move to the left as shown in FIG. 19 to complete the swagingoperation as illustrated in FIG. 10. The movable platen 46 and swagingdie 87 are held against this movement by reason of the pressure `of thehydraulic iluid in cylinder 51, the vent through port 56 therefrom beingchecked by valve 193.

As ram 68 moves to the left in FIG. 19, cam 133 will move away from LS6to close contact 213 of LS6 and open contact 214 of LS6. Since relay 2had previously been energized by closure of LS3, relay actuated contacts215 and 216 are closed. Accordingly, the opening of LS6 contact 214 willhave no effect on relay 1 since contactor 2-14 is bypassed by contact216. Closure of contact 213 of ILS6, however, completes a bypass circuitaround LS3 to permit LS3 to open Without breaking the energizing circuitto relay 2. Contactor 21-3 of LS6 is in parallel with normally closedcontactor 249. As the projectile 32 is moved out from the die toward theleft as shown in FIG. 19, fluid in chamber 62 behind ram 63 will exhaustthrough port 67 to sump 204 as aforesaid.

The banding operation is now completed and when the ram 68 has returnedthe banded shell 32 to the transfer station, vcamf133 on rod 134 willcontact and open normally closed limit switch LS4. When switch LS4 opensit will break the circuit to relay 1, Thus breaking the circuit throughline 175, contactor 174, etc., to solenoid coil B and permit spring 172to close valve 171 and depressurize the ram cylinder 70 behind piston69.

inasmuch as relay 2 is still energized the deenergization of relay 1will complete a circuit from lead 136, line 217, normally closed switchcontactor v218, switch contactor 219, normally closed contactor 220,line 167 through solenoid C and line 168 back to lead 137. Accordingly,port 186 of valve 164 will be restored to its position shown in FIG. 19.Moreover, solenoid coil A of hydraulic iiuid valve 223 will beconcurrently energized through its line224, 225 to move the valve plugtherein against the bias of spring 222 to its position in which its port226 passes hydraulic fluid from the pump within housing 42 through lines227, 228 into line ,195.

Hydraulic fluid is thusadmitted under pressure to port 73 causing ram 68to.move to the right in FIG. 1,9, fluid from behind the piston 69 beingexhausted through port 72, fluid line 212, port 229,;in valve 1'64 toline 206 and through the throttling valve 207 to the sump 208.Accordingly, ram 68 will clear the banded shell at the transfer station.Pressure will also be communicated through line 196 to port 55 ofcylinder 51 to force piston 52 to the left in FIG. 19 to retract themovable platen 46 from its FIG. 7 position to its FIG. 4 position andconcurrently carry With it and retract ram 63 away from engagement withthe rear end of the shell 32.

Pressure in line 195 is communicated through line 194 to the valveopening pilot 210 of valve 193, thus permitting iluid flow from line 188through valve 193l to line 187. Fluid from behind piston I52 accordinglybleeds through port 56 through iiuid lines 188, 187, 185 and throughport 232 in valve 17'1 yto sump 233.

The resistance o-f valve 287 causes ram 53 to return prior to the returnof ram 68.

In the course of its retraction cam 132 carried by ram V coil E fromlead 136, line 217, normally closed Switch contactor 218, vswitchcontactor 219 (relay 2 being still energized), normally closed switchcontactor 220, lines 166, 1'55 and 234, contactor 235 held closed byenergized relay 2, LS7, line 236, solenoid coil E and line 237 `back tolead 137. Accordingly, the valve plug 238 of hydraulic control valve 239will be pulled against the bias of its return `spring 242 to itsposition shown in FIG. 19 in which port 243 connects pressure hydraulicline 244 from the pump within housing 42 to the uidline 24'5 connectedto the hydraulic cylinder 123 above piston 246 therein.

Accordingly, as previously described in connection with FIGS. 14 through1-6, hydraulic motor 123 will start the escapement mechanism -to ejecetthe banded shell and deliver an unbanded shell from the ramp 107 ontothe saddles 109, 110 of the transfer station. -As the banded shell 32passes over limit switch LS2 mounted at the discharge end of escapementlevers 118, LS2 will close momentarily to complete a circuit from lead136, line 247, closed contactor switch 215, line 248, closed LS2 andrelay 3 back to lead 137. When relay 3y is thus energized it will opennormally closed contactor switch 249 which otherwise bypassed LS6contactor switch 213 and will close a holding circuit through contactorswitch 252 around LS2.

If relay 3 is energized by actuation of LS2 prior to the time when LS6is actuated by retraction of ram 68, nothing further happens until ram68 does complete its retraction to engage its cam 133 with LS6 to openits switch contactor 213. Since LS6 contactor 213 is no longer bypassedby closed contactor switch 249, the circuit to relay 2 is then brokenand all contactor switches actuated by relay 2 are deactuated tode-energize all solenoids including solenoid E, thus permitting spring242 to move the valve plug 283 in the right in FIG. 1 9 and connect theportion of cylinder 123 beneath piston 246 through line 253 and port 254in valve 239 with the pressure line 244 to force the piston rod 122 up,spent hydraulic iluid above piston 246 exhausting through line 245 andport 255 to sump 256. Accordingly, the escapement mechanism shown inFIGS. 14 and 16 will complete its Vescapement cycle to position afreshly arrived unbranded shell at the transfer station, allinter-locking limit switches LS1, LS5 and L88 being then closed tocondition the circuit for a new banding cycle. If selector switch 146 ison auto the new cycle will begin automatically. If the switch 146 is onhand, .cycle start switch 149 must be actuated to commence the nextcycle.

If on the other hand ram 68 had retracted to engage its cam 133 with L86prior to the tripping by the banded shell 32 of LSZ, contactor 213 ofLS6 would have previously opened and the opening of switch contacter 249as controlled by relay 3 will immediately de-energize relay 2 and theforegoing steps would occur without delay. Accordingly, it makes nodifference to the operation of the machine whether LS6 is tripped beforeor after the banded shell 32 is discharged from the transfer station.

At any time during the cycle emergency reverse button 257 may bepressed.. Button 257 has -ganged contactors 258, 259. Contactor 258 isnormally closed in the circuit to relay 1 and contacter 259 is normallyopen in the circuit bypassing LS3 to relay 2. Actuation of button 257-will release its normally closed contact 25S in the circuit to relay 1and will close normally open contact 259 in the circuit to relay 2. Thiswill eiect return of both ram 68 and 53 to fully retracted positionregardless of the point in the cycle at which the emergency returnbutton s actuated.

Opening of the master stop switch 146 will deenergize the pump motor 38,thus stopping action of the device at the position that the variousparts occupy at the time the master stop switch is opened. A powerfailure will have the same effect as opening the master stop switch 146.After power is restored it is advisable to actuate the emergency returnbutton 257 in order to retract both pistons 52, 69 and condition themachine to re-establishment of the banding cycle.

From the foregoing it is clear that the device of the presen-t inventionmay be set to continuously automatically Iband projectiles at a ratewhich in commercial practice will taverage between eight and tenprojectiles per minute. Both the advance of the swaging ring about theprojectile and the injection of the projectile from ywithin the swagingring will contract the bandrinto the projectile groove. The hydraulicrams are all disposed on the same axis of reciprocation-and thehydraulic ram which feeds the shell into its banding position is housedwithin the ram sleeve for the ram which actuates the movable platenwhich carries the swaging ring.

What is claimed is:

A method of swaging a band into fthe peripheral groove of a shell, saidmethod comprising the steps of aligning the shell on a horizontal axiscoaxially with the band, a shell seat and `a swaging die with the shellseat and the band on the side of the die opposite the shell, advancingthe shell on said horizontal axes in a `direction toward the the bandand at least partially through the die to dispose the shell in its seatand to radially lalign the band with the shell groove, advancing the diein the same direction on said horizontal axis lto partially swage theband into the groove, arresting the die before the band is completelyseated in the groove, and ejecting the shell and Ysaid partially swagedband in the opposite direction on Bondeson July 4, 1944 Peterson Dec. 7,1954

